Party of Five at 6:30

Volpe is such a lovely experience with good food served at its peak, family style, chef’s menu. The atmosphere is cozy, cosmopolitan and intimate. Reasonably priced Italian wines and all the courses.

The courses included chef’s excellent salads and burrata, Scallopine of Heritage Pork, Mushroom Marsala, Local Flounder, Torcino Style, Brown Butter Vinaigrette.

It’s that time of year when the golden hour for ambient light photography—my only and genuine style—is long past so I lifted this photo from their website. Mea culpa. The dishes were beautiful. 161 Rutledge Ave, corner of Rutledge and Doughty.

2nd Sunday on King Street November 9th

Here’s a special offer from Tate Nation on his birthday (we won’t say which one).

Best gift ever! The luminous art of lithophanes.

The Lowcountry Nosh returns.

Tomorrow is the second Sunday of the month, and you know what that means—2nd Sunday on King Street! From Queen to Calhoun—pedestrians rule the street and the whole Charleston peninsula buzzes with activity, transforming one of America’s best shopping streets into a vibrant, open-air celebration of Charleston’s rich culture.

The food scene is equally impressive, with everything from lobster rolls and pierogis to oysters, barbecue, ice cream, and fresh baked sourdough. Many restaurants offer outdoor dining, making it easy to enjoy a meal al fresco while soaking in the festive atmosphere.

Street musicians perform throughout the event, and local artists and galleries often have special demonstrations and exhibits from noon to 5:00 PM.

Join your friends and neighbors—and their dogs—for the perfect blend of shopping, dining, music, atmosphere and surprises that make Charleston special.

Shopping, culture, food, fun at 2nd Sunday on King Street.

The Weekend with Tate Nation

Mount Pleasant is the place for a running tradition, the Old Village Harbor 5K Saturday, November 8 sponsored by Tate Nation.

Followed by… “2nd Sunday falls on my birthday, November 9th, I want to celebrate by doing a special thing ‘My birthday / You get the gift!’. I’ll give a free “Crab” poster to the first 20 people who stop by my space and mention that they saw my post or 2nd Sunday’s! 🥳🎈🦀 🎉 “ 257 King Street.

Happy Birthday, Tate!

The Luminous Art of Lithophanes rescheduled for November 9th

Lithophane Nightlight

There’s something magical about holding a seemingly ordinary piece of porcelain up to the light and watching a detailed image emerge from within. This is the world of lithophanes—sculptures that reveal hidden images when backlit, transforming varying thicknesses of translucent material into gradients of light and shadow. The word “lithophane” comes from Greek, literally meaning “light in stone.” These works of art are created by carving or molding translucent porcelain into panels of varying thickness. Thicker areas appear darker when backlit, while thinner sections allow more light through, creating a grayscale image that glows from within.

Lithophanes emerged in early 19th-century Europe. The mid-to-late 1800s marked their golden age, when they adorned Victorian homes as window panels, lampshades, and fire screens—serving as affordable art for the middle class. Traditional lithophanes required exceptional skill, with artisans carefully carving molds to create varying depths. Today, 3D printing and digital tools have revived the art form, making creation accessible to modern artists while preserving the enchanting effect.

What makes lithophanes captivating after nearly two centuries? Perhaps it’s the hidden image waiting to be revealed, or the mastery required to transform solid material into ethereal light and shadow—quiet testaments to human creativity and the timeless appeal of light itself.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

At the 2nd Sunday Hospitality Tent (in front of the Apple Store): Meet Blane Shirley, Owner, Lowcountry Lithophanes and see some of his mesmerizing products.

The KKBE Nosh November

November 9th, adjacent to 2nd Sunday on King Street, on Hasell Street!

2nd Sunday Grammar for Kids

2nd Sunday on King Street: name, proper noun

second Sunday on King Street: adjective/noun, when it is, and where

Cultural Event: adjective, noun, what it is, aka cherished cultural event

Market, festival, trade show, exhibition: all nouns, all not what it is

Used in a sentence: Welcome to 2nd Sunday on King Street, held on the second Sunday of every month, year ‘round. It’s a cherished cultural event incorporating the brick and mortar boutiques, galleries and food purveyors of King Street along with a carefully curated collection of artisans and supporters who occupy the street from Queen to Calhoun, noon to 5:00.

2nd Sunday 10/12 called off. When Rain or Shine… isn’t.

To the stores, artisans, food vendors, patrons, guardians, celebrants and dogs. In order to keep everyone safe and dry, and to help the helpers clean up downtown unencumbered, we are canceling the October 12th 2nd Sunday on King Street event.

See you next month, November 9.

Photo by Biljana Martinic for Unsplash

Happy 10th Anniversary to Woof Gang!

Woof Gang knows how to celebrate, with

Westie Pawrade

Benefit Raffle

Mimosas + Cake

Free gift bags

10% off store wide.

Join us at 341 King Street.

Dial M for Monarch too

Monarch Esthetics, transformation isn’t just a service it’s a lifestyle. Founded by Charleston native Amber Lang and Dr. Shane Cole, Monarch was created to bring results-driven, cutting-edge aesthetic care to the Lowcountry with a touch of luxury, warmth, and soul.

Inspired by Amber’s late mother,  the heart behind the Monarch name, and its signature butterfly. The practice is rooted in the belief that true beauty and confidence begin from within, and that feeling your best extends far beyond the mirror. Every detail, from the serene, inviting atmosphere to the state-of-the-art technology, reflects a dedication to care, refinement, and transformation.

Monarch is more than a med spa, it’s a community. A place where clients feel seen, nurtured, and connected, and where beauty becomes a shared experience, not just a destination. Every moment is designed to leave you feeling empowered, radiant, and celebrated.

Monarch Esthetics — transformation that’s felt, inside, out, and all around. 562 King Street

Dial M

Charleston Stage Turns Up the Tension with Dial M for Murder, Frederick Knott’s chilling thriller that inspired Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary film. This spine-tingling production will run October 15 – November 2, 2025, at the Historic Dock Street Theatre.

Step into a world where shadows hide secrets, trust twists into betrayal, and every heartbeat echoes with danger. When former English tennis pro Tony Wendice plots the “perfect” murder of his wife, Margot, the line between predator and prey blurs in a deadly game of deception. Will his plan succeed, or will the hunter become the hunted? Packed with sinister suspense and razor-sharp dialogue, this psychological thriller delivers the perfect theatrical treat for the Halloween season. Dial M for Murder immerses audiences in a haunting tale where nothing is safe, no one can be trusted, and every twist could be the last.

“This is theatre at its most chilling,” says Artistic Director Marybeth Clark. “The audience leans in with every turn, complicit in the crime, and left breathless until the final shocking moment.”

Performance Dates: October 15 – November 2, 2025
Evening and matinee performances available.
All performances will be held at the Historic Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, Charleston, SC.

Tickets start at $60.25 with discounts available for seniors and students and can be purchased online at CharlestonStage.com/dialm or by calling the Box Office at (843) 577-7183. Children under 3 years of age are not permitted in the theatre for MainStage productions.

Photo by Reese Moore Photography

Author Patrick Crawford Bryant at the September 2nd Sunday Tent

Patrick Bryant will be at the 2nd Sunday tent with his book Blink, Blip, Boom along with illustrations by Adwind Abrar.

If you’re exploring the contemporary literary scene, the name Patrick Crawford Bryant is an intriguing one to encounter. Hailing from Charleston, Bryant crafts surreal literary fiction with lyrical prose, setting himself apart in the world of independent authors. His writing is not just storytelling—it’s an immersive journey shaped by the unexpected and the poetic. Bryant blurs the line between the real and the surreal. His style is marked by rich, evocative language that invites readers into dreamlike landscapes. Fans of experimental literature and those attracted to lyrical, boundary-pushing prose will find Bryant’s work especially rewarding.

Through a careful blend of poetic structure and narrative inventiveness, Bryant’s works often challenge traditional story arcs and immerse readers in a tapestry of vivid imagery and philosophical themes. Reading Bryant is less about following a plot and more about surrendering to a unique style and rhythm.

Meet Patrick at the 2nd Sunday tent in front of the Apple store at 301 King Street.

The Food at 2nd Sunday on King Street

What are you hungry for? We think shopping works up an appetite. We have lobster rolls, boiled peanuts, pierogis, pizza, pad Thai, smash burgers, barbecue, ice cream, fresh baked sourdough, quahogs, oysters, shrimp, charcuterie, wagyu, banana bread, pastries and a dizzying array of beverages.

Register for the Charleston Pride Parade

Hear all about the annual Charleston Pride Parade down historic King Street October 11 at 9 AM where everyone is welcomed. Questions and registration at 267 King Street.

September with MUSC HOLLINGS LOWVELO

LOWVELO / [ low·vel·oh ] / Noun. A combination of the words Lowcountry and velo, the French word for “bike.” A cycling event that brings a dedicated group of riders, volunteers, virtual participants, sponsors and staff members together to raise funds for innovative and lifesaving cancer research at the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center: MUSC Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston. The ride this year is November 1st. Ask questions and Register here.

Ride with LOWVELO for MUSC Hollings. Sign up at 321 King Street.

Meet Daylyy

Daylyy is building the most human app the world has ever seen. No Ai. No algorithm. Just your real friends, posting real moments, daily. It’s called daylyy and it’s everything social media forgot to be.

Find your next connectivity. Discover Daylyy at 237 King Street.

Charleston Dental Studio

Hear more about your future smile at 253 King Street

Charleston Dental Studio provides an unparalleled dental experience focused on advanced care, patient education, and genuine connections. From your first visit, you’ll notice a welcoming environment where your needs and goals are top priority. They can help you achieve a healthy, confident smile that lasts a lifetime.

Dr. Julie Driscoll leads Charleston Dental Studio with expertise and passion. A graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Driscoll has completed extensive training in cosmetic and general dentistry. Known for her artistry and attention to detail, she is dedicated to helping each patient achieve their ideal smile. She wants her patients to look forward to their dental visits and leaves no stone unturned to foster a positive experience. She is passionate about creating beautiful, healthy smiles and takes the time to understand your unique goals and needs. Whether you want to enhance your smile or improve your oral health, Dr. Driscoll is here to help. Schedule a consultation today and experience the difference her compassionate, patient-focused approach can make for your smile.

Playwrights Festival this weekend at Charleston’s Cannon Street Arts Center

PURE Theatre is proud to announce the launch of its First Annual Playwrights Festival, taking place September 12–13, 2025, at the Cannon Street Arts Center. This dynamic new weekend event celebrates the power of new plays, the playwrights who shape them, and the creative community that brings them to life.

Anchoring the weekend is the Charleston premiere of Dan Hoyle’s acclaimed solo show Takes All Kinds, a riveting piece of journalistic theatre that captures the diverse voices of American democracy. From the far corners of the country to stories rooted here at home, including those of Mother Emanuel survivor Polly Sheppard and Charlestonian Margaret Seidler, whose recent memoir Payne-ful Business explores family, legacy, and racial reckoning, Hoyle delivers a poignant and surprising portrait of who we are.

The Festival weekend also features exclusive events with the nationally recognized playwrights of PURE’s 23rd Season, including workshops, panels, catered meals, and a champagne toast and birthday celebration for PURE Co-Founder and Artistic Director Sharon Graci.

 “PURE Theatre is a nationally recognized home for new plays in the American South. This weekend is not only a celebration of the writers we love, it’s a fundraiser, a community builder, and an invitation to deepen Charleston’s connection to the artists shaping our cultural moment,” says Graci. “This is PURE’s way of saying: Charleston is a literary city. Theatre belongs in the conversation. It’s also, selfishly, the exact way I want to spend my birthday: in collaboration and conversation with incredible artists.”

Festival guests and workshop leaders include Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder(Zelda in the Backyard), York Walker (Covenant), Steven Dietz (Gaslight),Brad Erickson (The Ocean We Swim In), and Jonathan Spector (Eureka Day) will join virtually for a playwrights panel moderated by PURE Co-Founder Rodney Lee Rogers.

“You don’t need to be a playwright, or even a writer, to participate,” says Rogers. “This is a rare opportunity to peek behind the curtain of the playwriting process and engage with the creative journey from initial idea to final performance. It’s an inspiring weekend for anyone who loves Story.”

Festival Passes are $205 and include:

• A Friday evening reception with the playwrights

• A full day of programming on Saturday, including workshops, panels, and meals

• A private performance of Takes All Kinds with post-show talkback
  

A public performance of Takes All Kinds will be held Friday, September 12 at 7:00 PM, with tickets starting at $53. Tickets and Festival passes are available now at puretheatre.org. For additional information, call the PURE Theatre Box Office at 843.723.4444 (Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM).

Beautiful Juliska

Located at 268 King Street, Juliska has two floors and many creative spaces to inspire. The new Le Panier Mystic Knot pieces are richly textural. French basketweave meets the storied Sailor's Knot, just in time for all the fall feels.

Cabaret at Queen Street

PICTURE IT…a country on the edge of collapse…a sinking economy…and the chilling vibe of a looming dictatorship waiting in the wings, but inside the doors of the Kit Kat Club in 1929 Berlin the temperature is just right.

That’s where you will find the free-wheeling cabaret star Sally Bowles (Giulia Dalbec of Who’s Holiday) and the sexy and salacious lineup of Kit Kat Girls and Boys putting on nightly shows of dancing, singing and debauchery as the world outside crumbles. ‘Leave your troubles outside’ orders the mysterious and mischievous Emcee (Matthew Willingham) offering the people of Berlin an escape from the atrocities right outside the doors.

While the young and restless party the nights away inside the dance halls and cabaret clubs of Berlin, those paying attention know what’s on the horizon and are doing their best to prepare for the inevitable.

CABARET, one of Broadway’s most beloved and enduring musicals made its debut in in 1966, becoming an Oscar-winning film in 1972, and has enjoyed multiple Broadway revivals including the famed 1998 production starring Alan Cumming and the current incarnation currently still playing in New York City.

Directed by Footlight’s Artistic Director Kyle Barnette (Jekyll & Hyde, POTUS, Hair) CABARET offers a wild and enlightening ride filled with sexy and salacious choreography and familiar songs including Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Maybe This Time and more.

Click here for tickets.

Cocktails vs. Mocktails on the street at 2nd Sunday

Cocktails: Because these contain alcohol, it is illegal to possess or consume them in any public place in Charleston, including when walking on the street. Even discretely carrying a cocktail in a cup, bottle, or thermos violates the open container and public drinking ordinances.

Mocktails: These are non-alcoholic beverages crafted to look and taste like cocktails. There are no restrictions under Charleston’s laws regarding carrying or consuming mocktails in public. Since mocktails contain no alcohol, you can walk or stand in public places with them freely.

Practical Consideration: If you’re carrying a beverage in public and it might be mistaken for alcohol (for example, a mocktail in a red Solo cup), be prepared to explain to law enforcement what’s actually in your cup. While there’s no law against mocktails, practicality suggests using different, perhaps clear containers or leaving commercial labels on non-alcoholic drinks to reduce confusion.